‘Real buzz’ about North Geelong
- Updated: March 30, 2023
NORTH GEELONG coach Michael Boothey has been impressed with his teams attitude throughout the pre-season, as the Magpies look to improve on their ninth-placed finish last season in the GDFNL.
Boothey took over as senior coach during the off-season, saying there’s ‘a real buzz’ about the group as it prepares to take on Thomson in Round 1.
It’s a relatively similar side will be taking the field to the one that managed seven wins last year, with Blake Miller (Bannockburn) and Tom Schwennesen (North Shore) the key inclusions at Keith Barclay Oval.
“Going from (Tuesday) night’s training session, there’s a real buzz at the moment,” Boothey said.
“The boys are up and about and just really excited about the prospects of Round 1 finally being here and heading down to Thomson which is exciting.”
Boothey said he’s been happy with the changes he’s been trying to implement over the off-season, saying he hopes the Magpies can take the solid form shown in the practice matches into round one.
“What we focused on through pre-season the boys have executed really well.
“We just got to take that and be ready to take that next step.
“But we’re probably ahead of where I expected to be at this stage to be honest.
“There was a couple of things that really worked in those practice matches which has been a real positive.
Image: New North Geelong coach Michael Boothey (Al Packer).
Boothey said the expectation is to simply improve, and has been impressed with how the younger group has bonded.
He said the success won’t necessarily be measured on making finals.
“The good thing about this group is they’ve bonded really well.
“We’re a young group and they’ve really taken on board everything that we’ve been training to do.
“They have not put a foot wrong all pre-season so if that’s a sign of things to come, then I think we’re in for a future of success.”
ROUND 1: Saturday, April 1 – Thomson v. North Geelong – Thomson Recreation Reserve.
Twitter: @krockfootball
